USDA Official Speaks at International Conservation Conference

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind., July 15, 2002 - USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Chief Bruce Knight spoke at the opening session of the 57th annual conference of the internationally known Soil and Water Conservation Society (SWCS).

He focused on the importance of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002-the Farm Bill-for conservation on working lands and how it builds on past conservation gains. The new Farm Bill represents a level of investment in conservation that has not been present in any previous farm policy legislation.
Knight said, “The Farm Bill applies to all natural resources, including increased emphasis on air, wildlife, and energy, in addition to the traditional support for soil and water conservation. It provides incentives for implementing conservation practices on working lands. It helps farmers and ranchers improve the environment and meet the newer and higher environmental standards. And it greatly enhances the ability of farmers and ranchers to protect wetlands, water and air quality, and wildlife habitat.”

With an investment of 13 billion dollars over six years, the Farm Bill increases funding dramatically for some of USDA’s traditional programs and establishes several new ones.

Knight also commended the efforts of conservation partners such as SWCS for taking their advocacy and policy roles to a new level in supporting conservation.

The entire remarks made by Knight are available online at http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/news/speeches/knightswcsremarks.html
 

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